Synthesis of dipeptides containing α-substituted amino acids; their use as chiral ligands in Lewis-acid-catalyzed reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/recl.19951140417

L-α-Methylphenylalanine, obtained by enzymatic resolution of the corresponding racemic amide with amidase from Ochrobactrum anthropi NCIMB 40321, was used in the synthesis of dipeptides containing α-substituted amino acids.The 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1-carboxaldehyde Schiff bases of the dipeptides (1 and 2) were tested as Ti(IV) and Al(III) complexes in asymmetric Lewis-acid-catalyzed reactions.Only the Al(III) complex of 2 showed moderate enantioselectivity in the cyanation reaction of benzaldehyde with TMS-CN.